We decided to chase the Common Greenshank being seen out by Crescent City, CA. We flew into San Francisco, drove up north, and caught the bird the next morning! We then birded the area, (snagging Black Oystercatcher, Surfbird, and Arctic Loon, and Wrentit, among others) then drive down to LA to try for the Tundra Bean-Goose. A Ruff showed up as well while we were there, after which we found California Thrashers that didn’t mind us a bit. It was a whirlwind, super fun trip.
10/12/23 The last day of the trip we birded Bolsa Chica Wildlife Reserve and Huntington Beach Park. At Huntington Beach Park, we caught Swinhoe’s White-eye, Townsend’s Warbler , Orange-crowned Warbler , House Wren , Hermit Thrush , Western Bluebird , Common Gallinule bathing , Yellow-rumped Warbler , Western Wood-pewee , Bushtit , Black Phoebe , American Goldfinch , Common Yellowthroat , Pin-tailed Whydah , and Egyptian Goose .
10/12/23 The last day of the trip we birded Bolsa Chica Wildlife Reserve and Huntington Beach Park. At BC Wildlife Reserve we found Belding’s Savannah Sparrow (which used to be its own species) while the Brown Pelican flock was diving for fish in the background. That was too much fun to watch!
Also: American White Pelican , American Wigeon , Forster’s Tern , Great Yellowlegs , Great Blue Heron , Least Sandpiper , Long-billed Curlew , Willet , and Snowy Egret .
10/11/23 Los Angeles area, CA: We drove into the mountains where we caught American Crow , Black-throated Gray Warbler , California Quail , House Finch , Pacific-slope Flycatcher , Red-breasted Nuthatch , Northern Flicker, and Western Meadowlark .
10/10/23 Hahamongna Watershed Park, LA, CA: We really enjoyed watching a family of California Thrasher individuals feeding and calling – we see this species so rarely. Also: Acorn Woodpecker storing acorns, California Scrub-Jay , Cassin’s Kingbird , California Towhee , Nuttall’s Woodpecker , Dark-eyed Junco , Oak Titmouse , Red-tailed Hawk , Townsend’s Warbler , Western Bluebird , and Yellow-rumped Warbler .
10/9/23 Los Angeles, CA: After checking out the AMAZING redwoods, we continued south to LA for the Tundra Bean-Goose which was rather easy to find. It was hanging with the Canada Goose and Mallard flocks. Then we spent an enjoyable couple of hours at the Los Angeles County Arboretum but missed seeing the Barn Owl that had been sighted there recently. We did catch Bushtit , Allen’s Hummingbird (heard these as well), California Towhee , Red-whiskered Bulbul with a juvenile, and Scaly-breasted Munia there.
10/8/23 Pacheco Pond, SF, CA: We headed down to San Francisco area for the Ruff that was being seen and caught some images in spite of a camera malfunction. Also: Egret/Cormorant mix , White Pelican , and Mute Swan .
10/7/23 Crescent City, CA: A foggy morning made the lighting tough but we were able to find Black Oystercatcher , Surfbird , Wandering Tattler , Black Turnstone , and a Western Gull with a big catch.
10/6/23 Near Crescent City, CA: An early morning effort found us wandering the water’s edge at Lake Earl Wildlife Area at Teal Point. We were excited to make out the greenish legs, different bill, and white back of the Common Greenshank feeding with the Greater Yellowlegs. A couple images shows them together. Common Greenshank, Greater Yellowlegs (bright yellow legs), Marbled Godwit , and Western Sandpiper .
10/6/23 Lake Earl Wildlife Area, CA: American Pipit , Chestnut-backed Chickadee , Wrentit , White-crowned Sparrow , Fox Sparrow , Yellow-rumped Warbler , Greater White-fronted Goose , and Red-breasted Nuthatch .
10/6/23 Crescent City area, CA: Brewer’s Blackbird , Brown Pelican , Common Murre , a Red-throated Loon study , and Western Gull .
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